For the Public: State, private donor will pay $24 million for Chimney Rock

(AP) North Carolina's newest state park, still at least a year away from opening, grew by 1,000 acres yesterday when the state announced plans to buy privately owned Chimney Rock Park for $24 million.

The property - much of which is untouched by humans - will be used to augment Hickory Nut Gorge State Park, expected to open in 2008 in one of North Carolina's most biologically diverse areas, Gov. Mike Easley said during a news conference at Lake Lure.